Monday, December 30, 2013

Boycott Rose Parade's 'Gay Marriage' on New Year's

After the announcement that hairdressers Danny Leclair, 45, and Aubrey Loots, 42, would perform in a "gay wedding" on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) float in Pasadena's annual Tournament of Roses Parade, Christians nationwide plan to boycott the event.

"Gay marriage is illegal in over 30 states, why would they promote something that is blatantly illegal? That's just stupid."-- Karen Grube of San Diego

[Karen] Grube told the Pasadena Star-News the Tournament of Roses should not get involved in a "political agenda." She called on the organization to remove the AHF float from the parade and urged corporate sponsors to pull their support for the parade if Leclair and Loots get married along the parade route.

AHF spokesman Ged Kenslea said the organization believes "sanctified relationships, like gay marriage, which is legal in California and 16 other states, will really go a long way to help reduce the spread of HIV and other STDs."

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s float, “Living the Dream: Love Is the Best Protection,” was created to celebrate victories in 2013 for gay marriage advocates, including Supreme Court decisions upholding the repeal of California’s Proposition 8 and striking down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses has received complaints from people opposing the wedding. Some took to the organization’s Facebook page to voice their anger.

[Many have] expressed concern about the event not being suited for families that may tune in to watch the annual New Year’s Day celebration. The popular float parade is watched by people around the world.

In a statement released to the Los Angeles Times, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses said it is “pleased” to have the [AHF] foundation participate in this year’s event.